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SW Montana Illustrated
The Last Best TRAILS® is a made-in-Montana-based multimedia platform created to foster a sense of wonder and stewardship of our natural treasures.
Bozeman-based Author/Illustrator and Animator Bryan Schaeffer has created a world based on the experiences of family and friends in Montana. Characters are real people in real places, creating unreal experiences.
Every scene is hand drawn and painted by the author, and is designed for use in printed books, interactive ePublications, and animated short films.
A technique developed by the artist inspired by the golden age of animation uses hand-drawn and colored frames set up in a multi-plane camera to give a cinematic sense of depth and parallax. This distinctive look is a product of producing hundreds of motion graphics video campaigns over the past decade, including award-winning TV campaigns and ultra-hd animated content for the world's top tech company, biotech, non-profit, and news organization.
These animated short films with an accompanying books, interactive content, and framed canvases represents a legacy-building first launch of the series, which will inspire children of all ages with wonder and awe of Montana's scenic wonders and wildlife.
Weekly Emails
Welcome to our weekly email blast! By signing up, you'll receive the latest updates on "The Last Best Trails" book and animated films. Additionally, you'll get exclusive seasonal trail information on the best hiking, biking, and skiing trails in Southwest Montana. Stay in the know and sign up today!
Hike Bike & Ski Books
Hike The Last Best TRAILS
Hike The Last Best TRAILS
Hike The Last Best TRAILS
"This book is filled with extremely valuable information that people normally spend tons of time researching. It is put together in a way that makes it easy and fun to read. The artwork is outstanding and the maps are super beneficial. QR codes make this even more than a book. This is THE perfect read for anyone with any interest in the o
"This book is filled with extremely valuable information that people normally spend tons of time researching. It is put together in a way that makes it easy and fun to read. The artwork is outstanding and the maps are super beneficial. QR codes make this even more than a book. This is THE perfect read for anyone with any interest in the outdoors."-Cecelia KrichmanProperty manager & outdoor enthusiast
Bike Book (Sold Out)
Hike The Last Best TRAILS
Hike The Last Best TRAILS
Winner of the 2022 Bozeman People's Choice awards for best local book and best local author.
"May this book send you on some world class adventures!"
-Tim Hawke
Co-Author Southern Montana Singletrack & Architect of Copper City Trails
Ski Book (Sold Out)
Hike The Last Best TRAILS
Ski Book (Sold Out)
"This book is for those looking to explore the winter landscape of southwestern Montana in ways as versatile as the terrain they offer. Calling all-around winter athletes. Go find your adventure."
-Andy Newell
Head Coach of Nordic Team Solutions & four-time Olympic skier.
12 of the 63 total hikes in the new book
In the Press
"Bryan Schaeffer uses illustration to get people outdoors. It seems like Bryan uses illustration and animation to engage his audience in a way that other mediums cannot."
- Holden Sier
Outside Bozeman Magazine
"This is my favorite type of book because it gets to the point." It's really the best of both worlds - beautifully illustrated book and you get the digital world if you want it. It's always great to have a reference guide to get you started."
-DJ Zepp
105.7 The Eagle
"Part of being an artist is being relevant, and I don’t want to just work in my own little artist silo and not have it affect anybody. I really want this to affect people. I really want people to feel empowered and part of the community. "
-Bryan Schaeffer
interview with Tyler Cohen
Crosscountry Skier Magazine
About the Illustrator / Author
Some People Never Grow Up
The Last Best Trails is a passion project by Montana native and every season trails enthusiast -Bryan Schaeffer. Bryan is a three-time Emmy® winner and contributor to Outside Bozeman Magazine. His second book of the series "The Last Best BIKE" won the 2022 Bozeman's Choice Awards for best local book and best local author.
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Custom Illustration, Animation, Book Design & Publishing Services
Thank you for visiting The Last Best Trails! If you're interested in illustration, animation, or book design and publishing services please visit my illustration website.
Cross Platform Publishing
A few years ago it was only enterprise level publications that could afford creating high-quality print publications and interactive books. With epub and other innovative formats you can now reach audiences with deep content in highly interactive and engaging formats.
Custom Art and Articles
We tell stories about real people in real places having unreal experiences. Visit the custom illustration and animation website.